In July 2002, before he joined Mary Free Bed, Kent was driving with family members when they were hit by a drunken driver. The accident left Kent’s wife, Susan, comatose for two weeks with a traumatic brain injury. Friends encouraged Kent to choose Mary Free Bed for her rehabilitation.

When Susan arrived, she didn’t recognize herself, her husband or their four children. After seven weeks of intensive rehabilitation, Susan’s memory came back and she returned home. Today, Susan runs the Riddle household, is an active member of the Mary Free Bed Guild and visits patients with brain injury to encourage them as they recover.

“The acute care hospital saved my wife’s life, but Mary Free Bed is the reason Susan is with us today,” said Kent, who joined the Mary Free Bed Board of Trustees shortly after the accident and was invited to be CEO in 2011. “I remember thinking, ‘I’ll do anything I can to help bring this level of comprehensive rehabilitation to all who can benefit from it’.”

Each year, the Mary Free Bed system of care treats nearly 600 people through our inpatient brain injury programs. More of our patients return to their home or community settings after treatment as compared to the regional and national averages. We’ll help your loved one regain as much independence as possible and find ways to successfully work around challenges. We offer at least three hours of therapy, spaced over the entire day, five or more days a week.

Therapy gyms, including one with a low-stimulation environment, provide specialized spaces to improve strength and fine motor skills. An extensive system of ceiling-mounted technology helps patients safely practice walking if balance is an issue, and speech-language pathologists help improve thinking and communication skills. A small apartment provides space to work on daily living skills, and a car, gas pump, ATM machine and simulated grocery help prepare for the transition home.

Every patient rehabilitates in a bright and cheerful private room with a large bathroom, sleeper sofa and 42-inch flat-panel television. Multiple “destination locations” are located throughout our downtown campus where family and friends can gather. Complimentary washers and dryers are on each floor. Click to see 360-degree virtual tours of our specialized facilities.

Please click here to learn about our services for children and teens who have experienced a brain injury.

Why Mary Free Bed?

It’s your right to choose where you receive rehabilitation services. Why “Ask for Mary?”

Our Brain Injury Program is endorsed by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International. This voluntary but rigorous accreditation process is based on a comprehensive set of standards for quality care and patient satisfaction.

Many of our nurses and therapists are Certified Brain Injury Specialists. Plus, some registered nurses have additional certification in rehabilitation nursing.

Our admissions liaisons are happy to provide patients and their families who live outside West Michigan with helpful information about comfortable and affordable local lodging, including the on-campus inn at Mary Free Bed. Free parking is available on our easy-to-navigate downtown campus. We also offer free valet parking for patients and visitors arriving at our inpatient building.